He simply refused.

Despite what we’ve seen happening to the ruling party over the last 10 years, the ANC is actually an organisation of integrity and moral mettle, the values the party stands for have just become obscured by the actions of the ANC Women’s League, Youth League, Premier League, NEC and, of course, president Jacob Zuma.

The ANC’s Integrity Commission — in an attempt to claw back some of the respect the party has lost under its current leadership — has, on two separate occasions, made recommendations to the ruling party that Jacob Zuma call it a day. But the commission’s advice was promptly and characteristically ignored by the ANC.

Party veteran and author Sindiso Mfenyana spoke to eNCA’s Thulasizwe Simelane, saying that despite the commission’s recommendations nothing had been done. Mfenyana, who serves on the Integrity Commission, said that Zuma told them he was just misunderstood when they said he should resign.

Zuma told members that he had his reasons for doing what he’s doing, but the commission maintained that he should step aside, for the good of the ANC. Zuma reportedly told the commission that regardless of whether he stays or goes, it wouldn’t change things.